The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-03
REUNION OF BLUE AND GRAY
The Philadelphia Brigade and Pickett's
Division Fraternize at Gettysburg.
Speeches Indicating a Spirit of National
Unity and Brotherly Love-A Suggestion
that Joint Monument Be Erected.

GETTYSBURG Pa. July 2-Gettysburg pre-
sents animated scene tonight The houses
are decorated with flags. evergreens and bunt-
ing The streets are brilliantly illuminated,
md throneed with thousands OF people Dur
ing the day visitors arrived on all trains, and
when the Philadelphia brigade arrived at
o'clock, with two thousand more the hotels and
boarding houses overffowed. and quarters were
hard to find they were twenty-four years
ago tonieht. At o'clock Mrs.. General Pickett
arrived, accompanied by her con. and was i'm
mediately driven to the Springs Hotel. After
securing quarters tho Philadelphia brigade,
escorted by the Grand Army Band of Gettys-
burg marched to the Harrisburg depot to receive
their guests. At 1886 ringing cheer from the
Philadelphia brigade was promptly and heartily
answered by the well known rebel yell, ANNOUNCE
ing that the visitors had arrived, and two hun
dred of Picketts veterans marched ont and sur
rendered themselves to the inequalities of their
friends. AS the procession moved along Cham
bersburg street to the public square, cheers and
applause greeted it at every step. The confed-
crates, who were armed with rockets, discharged
them as they marched along, proudly bearing
the stars and stripes in their midst the only flag
in the line, and responded heartily to the greet
ings with their peculiar battle yell, SO well
known here, to the great delight OF the
assembled crowds When the procession
reached Center square the Union and confed-
crate lines were drawn facing each other.
The confederates stepped forward, saying,
Here more together" Let US
shake hands" Let us trade coffee" The bands
played "Way Down South in Dixie" fireworks
lit I'D the sky, and all the people cheered. AT
9:35 the procession moved to the court house,
where a campfire was held. The doors were
thrown open and the band entered followed by
PIckett's men. They proceeded to the front and
seated themselves in chairs. In few minutes
the building was filed to overlooking
and standing could not be obtained.
When all was ready, General Burns assisted Mrs.
General Pickett TO the stand, and amid tremen-
dous cheers which shook the building introduced
her and her son to the audience. She was Wis
IDLY affected, and with difficulty restrained the
tears. Whenever General Pickett's name was
mentioned the cheering tremendous. When
Colonel Aylette. becoming excited and branch
ing OFF somewhat from his prepared orator men
toned the flag of the Union. the whole audience
arose and shouted itself boarse. As soon as the
Presidents letter was read, General Burns
Jumped up and proposed three cheers for the
President of the United States. These were
given standing, and with telling effect
The meeting was called to order by John W.
Frazier, who said:
Ladies, Comrades and Friends-The high
honor OF calling this meeting TO order has been
assigned to me. This is, as you all know, the
first fraternal meeting of the blue and the gray
that has taken place on these historical grounds,
and standing beside the last resting place OF the
bonored dead who here gave their last full
measure of devotion to the Union. to you
that these fraternal meetings of the blue and
gray will do more to create and maintain a sim
cere and lasting fellowship among the people of
whole
taken place since the war for the preservation of
the Union ended, and 1 hope to see the N, as l
believe they will be, held all along the line from
Gettysburg to Vicksbure. / now have the pleas
IRE OF presenting Comrade w. S. Stockton as the
presiding officer OF this meeting. with the state
ment that to him, more than to any other is due
the credit of bringing il about
Mr.. Stockton, upon assuming the chairman
ship, said that he thanked his comrades for the
honor conferred upon him, aud he would take
occasion simply to remark that he believed what
was done and said here upon this fraternal gath
ering of the blue and gray would mark a new
and gratifying era in our country's history. AS
presiding officer it pleasant duty to pre-
sent Col Chas. III. Banes. president of the Phil
adelphia Bri gade Association, who would extend
a soldiers welcome to foes in war. but warm,
devoted and lasting friends in peace Colonel
Banes stepped forward and said:
Fellow Citizens and Members of Picketr's
Division OF the Army of Northern Vireinia-An
honorable and pleasing duty has been assigned
TO me by the Philadelphia Brigade of the Second
Division, Second Corps, Army of the Potomac.
This veteran brigade Of the Union army.
composed OF the Sixty-ninth SeveDty-6rst
Seventy second and One-hpndred and sixth
regiments Pennsylvania Volunteers upon more
than one occasion during the dark hours Of the
Republic, encountered your people in active war
fare, and il fell our lot to meet in hostile ar
ray and deadly conflict what may be truly
called the crisis of the battle of Gettysburg,
within the sight of the masses of both armies
that memorable afternoon of July 3, 1863.
The old issues dead and new ones confront
us. We, who have fought as the blue and the
gray, can discuss the past, if need be. in the
light OF the present, as travellers who. afer per-
llous journeys and conflicts by the way, sit
down on the mountain top and review the scenes
through which they have passed and the dangers
of the road over which they have iourneyed.
I'VE welcome you to this historic field and its
memories with true soldierly greeting. In the
performance of this duty we would fail to hon
orabIy acquit ourselves did we not announce to
you that the spontaneous movement of the
philadelphia brigade in the tender of this re-
ception has the cordial and practical support of
our citizens of sIl classes and pursuits of life
Aud now it remains for to say to you. the
men of Picketts division, by authority of this
desire that you will honor us during
your stay at Gettysburg by becoming
guests. We welcome you because you
were brave soldiers In war; welcome you
because you were true citizens in peace, and may
our stay here be one OF pleasure TO each of us
and of fraternal greeting that shall guide US to
higher resolves for the perpetuity of the Consti-
tuition and the Union, to manly determination
citizens to meet conscientiously and in the
fear OF God the questions and issues of the hour,
and to such abiding faith in the magnificent
destiny Of the Republic as will lead each Of us
to trust that almighty Being who spoke from
the cloud and the pillar of FIRE to the leader OF
Israel. saying. Speak to the children of Israel,
that they go forward and who. to-day, is call
ing by HIS providence higher and nobler
achievements in the cause of humanity and the
government of the people"
Upon behalf of Pickett's veterans Capt. c.
r. Reeve. of Richmond. the commander of
Picketts Division Association, responded as fol-
lows:
'Friendsl and Comrades-I desire for myself
and comrades TO tender you our heartfelt thanks
for the kind, cordial and hearty welcome extend
cd TO us on this, occasion never TO be forgot
ten by us. but cherished and remembered as a